Employment and Enterprise

Roscommon Women’s Network (RWN) has secured funding following a social media public vote through Ulster Bank’s Skills & Opportunities fund to run a programme titled “Roscommon Women in Enterprise’ which aims to support women as they set up their own business.

The project will target 24 women in Co. Roscommon and will be led by Roscommon Women’s Network. RWN will be supported by a steering committee represented by Roscommon Leader Partnership, Local Enterprise Office Roscommon, and GRETB to ensure that the women receive the most effective support and benefit from all resources available to them.

Tara Farrell, Chairperson of Roscommon Women’s Network thanked Ulster Bank for establishing the Skills & Opportunities programme in the first instance as it provides community and voluntary organisations like RWN with a means to support women who might not otherwise have had the opportunity. “We’re delighted to have been successful and this is another positive step on the RWN journey,” said Tara.

Nora Fahy, RWN Project Co-ordinator, thanked everyone who voted for the project in the Ulster Bank public vote which enables RWN to focus and target resources into supporting women to develop their business idea, financial skills, and capabilities to start up their own business.

The Branch Manager of Ulster Bank Roscommon, Marie Farrell, congratulated RWN and wished all the participants on the project success in their new business ventures.

Marie Harris, RWN Development Worker, who is delivering the project, explained: “The women who linked with me on this project since last September have progressed greatly in the short period especially in terms of growing in confidence and self-believe.

“There are some amazing business ideas and I see of a number of businesses being created in the county in the coming months”.

Women who are starting up businesses include psychotherapists, a cleaning business, wedding confectionary, a hair salon and a restaurant.

Susan Feely, a project participant who is setting up a business as a psychotherapist, counselor, and a couples counselor, joined last September and is already taking on clients.

She said: “This project has been a great source of information and support for me. The workshops are particularly beneficial”.

The project is open to new recruits. Call Maria on 087-4073321 or 094-9621690